Tokyo Olympics: 'You can't get better than that' - McCay delight as Ireland beat South Africa in opener
- Published
Sarah Torrans (left) hit Ireland's clinching second goal late in the third quarter
Tokyo Olympic Games on the BBC |
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Dates: 23 July-8 August Time in Tokyo: BST +8 |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button and online; Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra and Sounds; live text and video clips on BBC Sport website and app |
Ireland defender Shirley McCay celebrated beating South Africa 2-0 in their Olympic Games opener in Tokyo on Saturday.
Roisin Upton and Sarah Torrans netted as the Irish played in the Olympics for the first time.
"A first ever win at the Olympics - you can't get better than that," said McCay after her 312th appearance for Ireland.
"It wasn't pretty and we didn't play our best hockey. But we wanted a clean sheet and to start with a win."
Upton converted a ninth-minute penalty corner and the ninth-ranked Irish missed a series of chances before Torrans scored in the third quarter.
South Africa threatened occasionally but Ireland controlled a contest they had to win with tougher tests to follow.
Upton's goal came from the first of Ireland's six penalty corners, with South African goalkeeper Phumelela Mbande producing a series of fine saves to keep her team in the game before Torrans' strike gave the Irish more breathing space.
Earlier in the third quarter, Dubliner Torrans had missed a glorious chance set up by skipper Katie Mullan, but she atoned for that by diverting the ball into the net after a Hannah Matthews shot had been deflected into her path.
South Africa, 16th in the world rankings, could only force one penalty corner which came just before Torrans' goal, although Ireland keeper Ayeisha McFerran had to make a great early save to deny Charne Maddocks.
In a busy Pool A programme, Ireland's women resume against the world's top-ranked team the Netherlands on Monday, before contests against Germany (Wednesday), India (Friday) and Great Britain (next Saturday).
After the match started in 30 degrees Celsius, McFerran saved Maddocks' sixth-minute chance but the Irish were soon ahead as Upton finished off a penalty corner won by Deirdre Duke.
Ireland dominated the second quarter as Naomi Carroll hit the post from close range and also failed to convert another chance with Chloe Watkins having a penalty corner blocked by South Africa's Kristen Paton.
After further Irish chances were squandered in the third quarter, they had a nervous moment when South Africa forced their sole penalty corner but poor execution meant the chance was wasted.
But Torrans' goal in the final minute of the third quarter eased Irish nerves and they avoided any mishaps in the closing 15 minutes of action as Lena Tice continued her impressive display in defence.
"For their first ever game at the Olympics the girls showed some true character," said Irish coach Sean Dancer.
"The game didn't go exactly the way we wanted but we deserved the win."
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